Need for Speed: Most Wanted Wii U release date announced

UPDATE: Criterion has been in touch with Eurogamer to ask that we make it clear that it is the developer of Need for Speed: Most Wanted on Wii U.

The Need for Speed: Most Wanted Co-Driver mode in action.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Wii U version of Need for Speed Most Wanted releases in Europe on 21st March, EA has announced.

It launches in the US on 19th March.

The Wii U version of the Criterion-developed racer, which EA calls an "Enhanced Version", includes new co-op features that allow players to team up with friends. The new local co-op mode, called Co-Driver, lets one player drive using a Wii Remote or the Wii U Pro Controller and another use the Wii U GamePad to provide control and navigation assistance on an interactive real-time map.

"Using just their fingertips, a partner can distract pursuing cops, switch from night to day or activate enhanced performance for any car and even control the amount of traffic on the road," EA explained. "This is the ultimate advantage for gamers who like to stir up trouble for the cops, their friends or just for fun."

Additionally, you can use the touch-screen to change mods and switch into cars without having to pause the action.

And, as we suspected, you can play the entire game off-screen using the GamePad.

The Wii U version includes the Ultimate Speed Pack, which includes the McLaren's F1 LM, the Aventador J, the Pagani Zonda R, Bugatti's Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse and Hennessey's Venom GT Spyder.